Twenty-one countries around the world have a “Do Not Travel” warning from the U.S. State Department, as of April 30. The agency regularly updates or reissues its international travel advisories, which give Americans a risk assessment for each country.
Here’s what to know about the warnings and how the State Department issues them.
What are the State Department’s travel advisory levels and what do they mean?
The State Department has four levels of travel advisories:
- Level 1: Exercise normal precautions
- Level 2: Exercise increased caution
- Level 3: Reconsider travel
- Level 4: Do not travel
The agency issues travel advisories for every country in the world. Factors considered in setting advisory levels include crime, terrorism, civil unrest, the risk of wrongful detention, health, the likelihood of a natural disaster and current events, the State Department says.
Level 1 is the lowest advisory and indicates there is some risk in any international travel. Level 2 means there are “heightened risks to safety and security,” which could apply to specific areas of the country.
Level 3 advises Americans to reconsider traveling to the nation because of “serious risks to safety and security.” Level 4 is the highest advisory level indicating there is a “greater likelihood of life-threatening risks.” The department advises Americans to write a will and leave DNA samples if they decide to travel to a Level 4 nation in preparation for possible worst-case scenarios.
Some nations could have multiple levels, with parts of the country more of a concern. For example, the advisory for Mexico, as of April 30, has specific levels for each state within the country, ranging from Level 1 to Level 4.
In each advisory, the State Department explains the factors contributing to the level designation, identifies possible areas of more risk and gives advice on what to do if you decide to travel to that country.
Examples of countries with each travel advisory level
Here are examples of countries in each advisory level, as of April 30:
Level 1: Canada, Australia, Ireland, Portugal, Argentina and multiple Caribbean islands, including Aruba and St. Lucia, are among the Level 1 countries.
Level 2: Popular European tourist destinations, including France, Italy, Spain, the United Kingdom and Germany, have Level 2 advisories. Other examples are mainland China, South Africa, Morocco, Peru, The Bahamas and Turks and Caicos Islands.
Level 3: Countries with Level 3 advisories include Colombia, Egypt, Guatemala and Jamaica. Most of the Level 3 nations include specific higher risk areas that the State Department says to avoid.
Level 4: The State Department has designated 21 nations as Level 4, advising Americans not to travel to them. They include Russia and Ukraine due to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. Others at Level 4 include North Korea, Syria, Iraq, Sudan and South Sudan, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Venezuela and Haiti.
How often does the State Department review travel advisories?
The State Department says it reviews Level 1 and 2 travel advisories at least every 12 months and Level 3 and 4 advisories at least every six months.
“A Travel Advisory will also be updated anytime there is a change in U.S. government posture, normally as it relates to ongoing security concerns,” the department says.
How to look up travel advisories around the world
You can find the State Department’s travel advisories in a searchable list and a map on the agency’s website, as well as on the map below.